DTI, DOTC finalizing passengers' bill of rights

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to finalize the guidelines on the bill of rights of passengers who were bumped off from flights or suffered delays and cancellations.

DOTC recently circulated the second draft of Economic Regulation No. 7 also known as the regulation for “Boarding Priority and Compensation for Denied Boarding, Delayed and Cancelled Flights.”

“We are part of the group that will draft the regulation. Based on my conversation with (DOTC Secretary) Mar (Roxas), we have to put in some protection for passengers and put in place policies for the bumping off of passengers as well as policies on delays,” said Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo. “We have have to spell out clearly the rights of passengers.” 

DOTC’s draft regulation stipulates that if a carrier denies a passenger from boarding, it shall first call the attention of passengers who would like to voluntarily surrender their confirmed reserved spaces in favor of other passengers. In the event of cancellation, the carrier shall provide passengers with the written or published statement of the cause.

In case of cancellation for causes attributable to the carrier, the passenger shall be provided refreshments or meals, hotel accommodation, transportation from the airport to the hotel, free phone calls or e-mails; and first aid, if necessary.

If the passenger opts not to fly the ticket anymore, his ticket shall be reimbursed.

In case of delay for more than one hour, the carrier shall provide refreshments or meals, free phone calls or e-mails; and first aid, if necessary.

If the flight is deferred until the next day the air carrier shall provide the following refreshments or meals, and hotel accommodation.

Aside from the bill of rights of passengers affected, the trade department will also suggest policies on the advertising of promo rates.

There were concerns that passengers who availed of promo rates were bumped off.

Domingo said that there is now a fixed time frame for the finalization of the regulation but it will be done soon.

“I don’t think it will take months,” he said.